Wildfire Risk in Danville.
Danville sits at the western base of Mount Diablo, and its eastern ridgeline neighborhoods face direct exposure to Diablo winds that accelerate down the mountain at 40 to 60 mph with single-digit humidity. CAL FIRE classifies portions of the town as High and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. The 2013 Morgan Fire burned 3,111 acres on Mount Diablo's slopes, visible from and threatening Danville neighborhoods.
Mount Diablo fires regularly threaten Danville, with Diablo winds accelerating down the mountain's western slopes at 40-60 mph into residential areas.
Danville at a Glance
Insurance Alert
East Bay foothills homeowners have experienced increasing non-renewals, particularly for properties adjacent to Mount Diablo open space. FAIR Plan enrollment has risen across Contra Costa County.
Historical Fire Record
The terrain and vegetation that define Danville have fueled fires here for over a century.
Marsh Fire
A fast-moving grass fire near Marsh Creek burned close to Danville neighborhoods, demonstrating ongoing risk.
Morgan Fire
Burned 3,111 acres on the slopes of Mount Diablo, visible from and threatening Danville.
Mount Diablo Fire
Major fire on Mount Diablo burned thousands of acres and threatened foothill communities.
Why Danville Faces Elevated Risk
Mount Diablo Proximity
Mount Diablo's grass and chaparral-covered slopes create a massive wildland fuel source directly adjacent to residential areas.
Diablo Wind Corridor
Danville is in the primary path of hot, dry Diablo winds that can reach 60+ mph, rapidly spreading fire.
Fast-Burning Grassland
Annual grasslands surrounding the town dry completely by summer and can carry fire at speeds up to 14 mph.
Development Pressure
Continued development in foothill areas increases the number of structures exposed to wildland fire.
Sources: CAL FIRE incident data, Marin County fire history archives, First Street Foundation.
Live Bay Area fire status
Track active incidents, Red Flag Warnings, air quality, and PSPS power shutoffs across the greater Bay Area, updated throughout the day.
The Problem
Most Homes Have 3-5 Wildfire Vulnerabilities
Embers cause most home ignitions. They enter through vents, collect under decks, travel along fences, and ignite vegetation at the foundation.
Unscreened vent
Open deck skirting
Zone 0 violation
Fence flame path
$149 Assessment Report
California Wildfire Assessment Report
Find out what wildfire risk models and California building codes flag on your property. No site visit. Results same day.
30-minute phone session
We guide you through photos of vents, eaves, decks, fencing, roof, and vegetation. No site visit.
Photo-by-photo analysis
Each finding includes what we see, why it matters, and the specific code section it relates to.
Prioritized action plan
30-day, 90-day, and 12-month timelines. Every item cites CBC Chapter 7A, PRC 4291, or AB 38.
Defensible space scored
Zone 0, Zone 1, and Zone 2 rated for your specific property with clear action items.
Insurance documentation
Documented against the Safer from Wildfires categories the project touches. Hand it to your broker for FAIR Plan or discount qualification.
Contractor-ready fix list
Specific materials, code references, and priority rankings. Any licensed contractor can use it.
Built by a California wildfire defense company from real-world Bay Area experience.
Free Wildfire Map
Not ready for a full assessment? Enter any California address to see fire hazard severity zones, vegetation density, and nearby fire history.
Open Free Wildfire MapDefensible Space & Home Hardening
California law requires property owners in fire hazard zones to maintain defensible space and harden their homes.
Ember-Resistant Zone
0-5 ft
Remove all combustible material within five feet. No mulch, no plants, no firewood. Hardscape only.
Lean, Clean, and Green
5-30 ft
Well-spaced, low plants. Trim branches 6 ft from ground. 10 ft between canopies. Grass to 4 inches.
Fuel Reduction Zone
30-100 ft
Remove ladder fuels. Space shrub groups. Create vertical gaps between ground cover and canopies.
Priority Order
Screen all vents with 1/8-inch metal mesh
Clear Zone 0 (first 5 feet)
Clean gutters and roof of debris
Replace or disconnect wood fence at house
Enclose open eaves and soffits
Enclose or screen deck skirting
Exterior Sprinkler Systems
FireRoofs designs and coordinates automated exterior sprinkler systems in our Bay Area service area (41 communities). They saturate the property before fire arrives, buying critical time.Danville is not in our installation area, but the assessment report identifies which hardening measures will have the greatest impact on your property.
Common Questions
Is Danville in a high fire hazard zone?
Yes. CAL FIRE classifies portions of Danville as High and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones, concentrated in the eastern and southern foothills near Mount Diablo. The 2013 Morgan Fire burned 3,111 acres on the mountain's slopes, directly threatening Danville neighborhoods.
What causes wildfire risk in Danville?
Danville's primary wildfire driver is the Diablo wind, a hot, dry offshore wind that accelerates down Mount Diablo at 40 to 60 mph with single-digit humidity. Combined with annual grassland that dries completely by summer, these conditions allow fire to spread rapidly into developed areas.
Will wildfire risk affect my insurance in Danville?
Many East Bay foothills homeowners have experienced non-renewals, particularly for properties adjacent to Mount Diablo open space. California's Safer from Wildfires regulation (Regulation 2644.9) now requires admitted insurers to factor documented home hardening and defensible space improvements into risk assessments. Documenting your property's mitigation measures is the strongest step you can take.
How does a photo-based wildfire assessment work?
A photo-based wildfire assessment is a 30-minute guided phone session where you walk around your property and photograph specific elements: vents, eaves, decks, fencing, roof, vegetation clearance, and attachments. A wildfire defense specialist analyzes each photo against California Building Code Chapter 7A, PRC 4291, and AB 38 requirements. You receive a written report with photo-by-photo findings, code citations, a prioritized action plan, defensible space zone ratings, and insurance documentation you can hand to your broker or any local contractor.
Not in our service area
Your property, your report.
FireRoofs designs and coordinates sprinkler systems in our Bay Area service area. The California Wildfire Assessment Report is available for any property in the state.
This page is not an emergency resource. If you see fire or smoke, call 911. For evacuation alerts in Contra Costa County, register for AlertMarin.